AMD Specialist Orange County, CA 

If you are having eye problems and suspect age-related macular degeneration, you should consider speaking to an AMD specialist Orange County, CA has to offer from Retina Associates of Orange County.

How AMD Can Affect Your Vision

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a common condition of the eye and often affects people over the age of 50. It is a leading cause of vision loss, the result of a damaged macula. The macula is a small area around the center of the retina and is responsible for sharp, central vision.

AMD usually advances very slowly meaning that, unlike other eye conditions, loss of vision does not happen immediately. However, this is not always true. There are times when AMD progresses rapidly leaving very little time for an Orange County AMD specialist to treat one or both eyes.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see our Orange County, CA AMD specialist as soon as possible.

• Blank spots in your central vision;
• Blurred areas near the center of vision;
• Distorted central vision;
• Objects not being as bright as they used to be;
• Inability to see fine details;
• Inability to see up close or at a distance; and
• Inability to recognize people’s faces (in severe cases).

Types of AMD

An AMD specialist Orange County, CA patients rely on may explain the two different types of AMD during a consultation. The following is a general explanation to better understand the condition.

Dry AMD – Most people, around 75%, have dry or early, AMD. This develops when a build up of waste material forms underneath the macula. As a result, this area becomes thin and weak. In general, people who have dry AMD experience mild symptoms and are not at risk for vision loss. It is a good idea to have an annual checkup with an AMD specialist Orange County, California recommends to ensure the symptoms are not worsening.

Wet AMD – Wet AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina eventually leaking blood and fluid around the area causing improper functioning. This can lead to bleeding, scarring, and vision loss.

Detecting and Treating AMD

When you see an AMD specialist in Orange County, CA, he or she may recommend you undergo various examinations to confirm an accurate diagnosis. In general, early and intermediate stages of AMD have no symptoms, which is why you should see an eye doctor every year from the age of 50 and over (or younger when you have eye problems). Your exam may consist of an:

• Visual acuity test;
• Dilated eye exam;
• Amsler grid;
• Fluorescein angiogram; and
• Optical coherence tomography.

Getting Your Eyes Tested by an AMD Specialist in Orange County, CA

If think you may have AMD, you might be considering visiting an Orange County AMD specialist. Getting an annual eye exam is important for maintaining the health of your eyes, avoiding certain diseases, and ensuring your vision is staying consistent. We often find ourselves answering particular questions from our first-time patients. Before scheduling an appointment with us, please be sure to read through the following FAQs–and after doing so, give us a call.

Why should I get an annual exam?

It’s important to schedule an eye exam each year in order to determine whether your vision has changed, and if you have AMD. We also take care to explore your health history and look for developing eye conditions and diseases, in order to start treatment if necessary before they worsen.

We’re committed to making sure each patient who walks through our doors leaves with awareness of how to take care of their eyes and overall good eye health.

What is the first thing an AMD doctor will do at my exam?

We typically start off eye exams with all of our patients by educating them on how to take care of their eyes and what the best practices are for long-term eye health. There is a lot that each of us can do in order to maintain our eyes’ health, keep them safe from injuries and damage, and protect our vision, and we can provide you with tips as well as answer questions on how to do so.

After this, we prepare our patients to go through a few vision tests in order to evaluate their eyesight and whether or not it has changed, and to screen for any conditions.

How do the vision tests work?

The vision tests will be quick and simple. The test for macular degeneration and cataracts is conducted by shining a bright light in each eye in order to observe their interiors.

Afterward, to evaluate your vision’s quality and clarity, we will have you look through lenses with different refractions; you will tell your eye doctor through which ones you can see most clearly, by completing the standard eye chart reading throughout the process. This will determine whether or not you will need corrective lenses, as well as your prescription.

An AMD specialist in Orange County, CA can explain the details of these exams during your appointment at the Retina Associates of Orange County. Treatments for wet AMD may include intravitreal injections, eye drops, and in certain cases laser treatment.

What to Ask an AMD Specialist Orange County, CA Can Rely On

If you are planning on seeing an AMD specialist, there are a few questions you might want to ask him or her to help you to understand AMD, your diagnosis, and the treatment protocols. Some questions include:

• What is my diagnosis?
• Can the type of AMD I have be treated?
• Will my vision be affected now or in the future?
• Are there any symptoms I should watch for?
• How often should I have a follow up appointment with you?
• Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to decrease the symptoms?

If you are ready to schedule an appointment with an AMD specialist Orange County, CA residents depend on for quality treatment, please contact the Retina Associates of Orange County by calling 949-777-5011.